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The distribution and characterisation of microplastics in air, surface water and sediment within a major river system
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Researchers conducted the first simultaneous comparison of microplastic pollution in air, water, and river sediment along the entire length of the Ganges River system. They found microplastics present in all three environmental compartments, with the highest concentrations in sediment, suggesting rivers act as long-term sinks. The study provides important baseline data for understanding how microplastics move through major river systems from source to sea.
Rivers are key pathways for the transfer of microplastics (MP) to marine environments. However, there are considerable uncertainties about the amount of microplastics transported by rivers to the ocean; this results in inaccuracies in our understanding of microplastic quantity and transport by freshwater systems. Additionally, it has been suggested that rivers may represent long-term sinks, with microplastics accumulating in sediment due to their high density or other biological, chemical, and physical factors. The atmosphere is also an important pathway by which airborne microplastics may enter aquatic habitats. Here, we compare for first time microplastics type and concentration in these key environmental mediums (air, water and sediment) along a major river (Ganges), from sea to source to understand 1) the abundance, 2) the spatial distribution, and 3) characteristics. Mean microplastic abundance settling from the atmosphere was 41.12 MP m2 day-1; while concentrations in sediment were 57.00 MP kg-1 and in water were 0.05 MP L-1. Across all sites and environmental mediums, rayon (synthetically altered cellulose) was the dominant polymer (54-82 %), followed by acrylic (6-23 %) and polyester (9-17 %). Fibres were the dominant shape (95-99 %) and blue was the most common colour (48-79 %). Across water and sediment environmental mediums, the number of microplastics per sample increased from the source of the Ganges to the sea. Additionally, higher population densities correlated with increased microplastic abundance for air and water samples. We suggest that clothing is likely to be the prominent source of microplastics to the river system, influenced by atmospheric deposition, wastewater and direct input (e.g. handwashing of clothes in the Ganges), especially in high density population areas. However, we suggest that subsequent microplastic release to the marine environment is strongly influenced by polymer type and shape, with a large proportion of denser microplastics settling in sediment prior to the river discharging to the ocean.
More Papers Like This
Sediment and surface water microplastic contamination along the Ganges River, from the Himalayan foothills to the tidal reach downstream of Kolkata, India.
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination along the full length of the Ganges River from the Himalayan foothills to the tidal reach downstream of Kolkata, India, finding particles throughout the catchment at varying concentrations. The study is one of the first comprehensive surveys of microplastics along this major river system, which is estimated to be one of the world's largest ocean plastic sources.
The abundance and characteristics of microplastics in surface water in the transboundary Ganges River
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Researchers conducted the first investigation of microplastic abundance along a 2,575-kilometer stretch of the Ganges River across pre- and post-monsoon seasons. The study found that fibers comprised 91% of microplastics, with higher concentrations before the monsoon, and estimates that the combined Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system could release 1 to 3 billion microplastic particles into the Bay of Bengal every day.
Distribution of microplastics in shoreline water and sediment of the Ganges River Basin to Meghna Estuary in Bangladesh
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Researchers measured microplastic contamination along the Ganges River from the India-Bangladesh border to the Meghna Estuary in Bangladesh. They found microplastics at every sampling point, with higher concentrations downstream, indicating pollution accumulates as the river flows through populated areas. The overall pollution level was rated higher than other studies in Bangladesh, raising concerns for the millions of people who depend on this water.
Spatio-temporal dynamics and flux of microplastics in the lower Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna River system and estuary
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Researchers examined the spatial and seasonal dynamics of microplastics across the lower Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna River system and estuary, one of the world's largest river systems and a major contributor to global ocean plastic inputs. The study quantified microplastic flux and found significant spatio-temporal variation driven by river discharge, monsoon seasonality, and anthropogenic land use across the catchment.
Microplastic in upper Himalayan Ganga river: Occurrence, seasonal dynamics and ecological risk
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Researchers quantified microplastics at 19 sites across the upper Himalayan Ganga River over six months, finding concentrations of 100–1,550 particles per liter in water and rising contamination levels downstream toward densely populated cities, with fibers, polyethylene, and post-monsoon conditions dominating the pollution profile.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.